125cc and 250cc testing takes over in Jerez from Tuesday

After three days of testing at the Spanish circuit of Jerez, the MotoGP riders clear the way for their lower cylinder category counterparts from tomorrow in the first 125cc and 250cc Official Test of 2008.

After three days of testing at the Spanish circuit of Jerez, the MotoGP riders clear the way for their lower cylinder category counterparts from tomorrow in the first 125cc and 250cc Official Test of 2008.

From Tuesday February 18th to Thursday February 21st, both split and combined practice sessions will be available for a test that is expected to welcome the majority of the 2008 grid. Each of the three days will open with a session open to all 125cc and 250cc riders from 10am to 2.50pm, followed by a 50 minute run exclusive to the 125cc competitors at 3pm. The final session of the day, from 4pm to 5pm, has been designated a 250cc-only affair.
The current form riders in the quarter litre class are expected title challengers Mika Kallio and Alvaro Bautista. The former was the fastest man round the track at the previous visit to Jerez in late January, at a track not traditionally favourable to the KTM machines. Bautista will once again be testing at his home track.
Swiss rider Thomas Luthi, also one of the title favourites, is expected to return after undergoing an operation on his collarbone, to join the likes of Hector Faubel, Hiroshi Aoyama and Mattia Pasini at the all-important Official Test.
In 125cc, Bradley Smith has been in fine form since his switch to Aprilia with Polaris World. The Briton was quickest in Jerez last time around, but in Valencia was just nudged off the top spot by Aspar rider Sergio Gadea. The duo will be accompanied by rivals such as reigning World Champion Gabor Talmacsi, Tomoyoshi Koyama and Simone Corsi, amongst others.